Feeding Time at the Zoo

Toronto High Park Zoo

Yesterday, after dropping off my husband at the hospital for his routine appointments I decided to drive the short distance to High Park. I parked in the lot by the park’s restaurant and went inside for a coffee but not before taking photos of the the gardens in front. Inside, while enjoying my hot beverage, I posted several photos on my blog. When I finished I packed up and headed for the zoo.

The zoo holds many fond memories for me. As a young child we frequently went there when my father had a day off from work. From all the old photos it amazes me to see how we would dress up for these outings. When we had our own children we loved going to this zoo. It was close to where we lived and admission was free.

In High Park 1956 my friend, sister and I (no idea who the little boy is)
My children enjoying a sunny winter day at the High Park Zoo 1984

Yesterday was relatively mild as I made my way down the hill toward the zoo. I was pleased that it was feeding time because that meant the animals were out of their shelters.

Most of the animals at the zoo are sheep, bison, cattle and llamas.

The feeding stations are also close to the pedestrian sidewalks.

Of all the animals the llamas were the most active.

On my way back to the car I was fortunate to see that the yak had come out of his shelter for a bite to eat.

Cabybara at the High Park Zoo

and llamas, bison and Barbary sheep

One of the highlights at the High Park Zoo in Toronto is the pen where the cabybara live. This week I took a trip there with out granddaughter who specifically wanted to see cabybarra. Luckily for us we got there at feeding time so we had a great view of these massive rodents.

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Bird Weekly – Photo Challenge – Birds Beginning with the Letter E

….thanks to Lisa Coleman from Our Eyes Open for hosting the Bird Weekly Challenge https://oureyesopen.blog/2021/03/05/bird-weekly-photo-challenge-birds-beginning-with-the-letter-e/

Emus are flightless birds and second in size only to the ostrich. This large bird originates from Australia and forages on seeds and plants. My photos are from the High Park Zoo where two of these magnificent birds reside.

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The Eyes Have It

….thanks to Becky B for hosting kindasquare for the month of Octoberhttps://beckybofwinchester.com/2020/10/27/kinda-square-27/

I love or take kindly to the eyes of animals and birds. I often wonder what they’re thinking and try to see if there are any clues in the eyes.

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Kinda Like a Mural

if a painting is not on a wall is it still considered a mural

Thanks to Becky B for hosting October Squares…..kindasquare. https://beckybofwinchester.com/2020/10/15/kinda-square-15/

This painting was on the side of a shipping container. It is located next to the road that goes through the High Park Zoo.

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Reflections of the Past

….fond memories of the High Park Zoo

When I was very young, about three to be exact, I remember going to the High Park
Zoo with my parents and little sister. I loved feeding the ducks and seeing what I thought at the time were exotic animals. Those exotic animals would have been bison, deer and camels. I remember bringing bags of carrots and I can still feel the pull that the deer exerted when nibbling on the these treats as I held them through the wire fence.fullsizeoutput_6c52

I recall going there quite often because we lived fairly close by. I loved walking on the stone ledges pretending to balance on a precarious cliff. In the warm weather my parents would dress us in our Sunday best and we would walk down by Grenadier Pond and around the beautiful gardens. It was also a favourite place to take visitors.

Last Sunday my husband and I drove to High Park (it’s a bit far to walk to now), parked the car and started to walk along the pathways. When we got to the top of one hill I made a request to head down towards the zoo. I felt like a kid again. The camels are no longer there but the deer and bison still reside in this zoo. Feeding the animals is now completely forbidden.

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Do you visit a place that brings back fond memories from when you were a child?